Here is the twenty-third chapter of this story released when I wanted it to be in keeping with my self-imposed upload requirements for this series. It's time for the third battle of the third day and the second one between Raven Tail and Fairy Tail as it is Fairy Tail Team B's turn to face Raven Tail but as with before Raven Tail has some dirty tricks up their sleeves and plan to fool the entire stadium, unless there was someone who could see through Illusion Magic that is and can at least describe what is going on that is. Anyway, that is all the administrative stuff I have for you as there are no questions that require answering but there is a guest review that requires a response which I will do now. Do keep the reviews coming as I enjoy hearing from those who enjoy my work.
To KGBeastboy (guest), thank you for your review and support. Do not worry, I have a full chapter planned out for their first meeting that will set a lot of things up and establish the strong relationship between the Guilds and lead to hopefully many fun adventures between them, though I doubt anyone would think Asta's the same age as Wendy given his bulk (third in this series now to only Elfman and Yami who amusingly share an English VA) and presume he's in his 20s not late teens but it won't occur until after the dragon attack as that kinda comes first. I have a lot of fun plans for that meeting where they properly meet so you can rest assured that there will be some fun interactions some of which you're right about, at least one your completely wrong about, some are good suggestions, and one's actually already occurred so I'm not going to do it again so plenty to look forward to especially with how one member of Fairy Tail shares an English VA with Bell so Charmy may have an interesting reaction to that. Do keep reading and enjoying my work.
That is it for pre-chapter note so it is time to end it so that y'all can sit back and enjoy the twenty-third chapter in Black Bull Banishment.
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.
Chapter 23: Raven Tail Unmasked
The Black Bulls watched as the battle began with Laxus speaking some words about the masked man being a mystery member of his father's Guild, something that the Black Bulls were aware of which only made this battle more intense. However, before Laxus could do anything else the mysterious Alexei charged forward and punch Laxus hard sending him back with a yell and enough force to dislodge his coat that he wore draped over his shoulders like a cape.
It was a hard hit that surprised them as they sent one of Fairy Tail's strongest backwards though Laxus managed to right himself and land in a crouch to slide back across the ground. That was just the start though because clearly this Alexei guy was talented as he followed it up with a kick and then a blast of near black magic that hit Laxus in the chest and put him fully on the back foot. From there he just punched and kicked Laxus in quick succession as the battle seemed to devolve for Laxus culminating is a strong uppercut to the jaw that laid Laxus out on his back and got some words from Chapati for it.
"That guy's seriously strong." Nero commented as there was a lull in the battle while Laxus slowly got to his feet clearly in pain but not out of it just yet which showed that he was tough and could take it for the moment. "Laxus is one of the strongest in Fairy Tail from what I've heard, a second generation Lightning Dragon Slayer so artificial but still powerful when it comes to magic, and an S-Class wizard in that Guild just like Erza."
"So he's as strong as that girl who took out the whole Pandemonium castle thing?" Luck asked licking his lips at the thought of someone on par with that woman. "And uses Lightning Magic, oh I've got to fight him and this Alexei guy, they both look really strong."
"I'd say that in terms of raw magic Laxus is stronger than Erza though he should be thought of as similar to that Mars kid from the Diamond Kingdom, naturally strong but artificially stronger which makes him hard to assess and Erza's versatility is better as she's got some kind of armor that seemed to resist lightning based on what we saw earlier so they may be evenly matched." Nero said thinking on it. "Also that Mira chick from yesterday is the same rank and her Takeover Magic is clearly no joke based on what we all felt when she used it. There is one in Fairy Tail stronger than all 3, their strongest member, a man called Gildarts but he's often on jobs that take years to complete and isn't here."
"So they didn't even bring their best?" Noelle asked surprised at that. "Well damn, even the other Guilds did that it seems. We did with Asta after all and there's that Wizard Saint from Lamia Scale so clearly they're not holding back."
"Same could be said for Mermaid Heel." Vanessa added looking to the all-woman Guild for a moment. "That Kagura girl was called the strongest female wizard in Fiore if I recall so she's clearly their best as well."
"True and this Gildarts guy is, from what I understand, probably as strong as that Wizard Saint in Lamia Scale so that's the kind of strength Fairy Tail has at the peak." Nero said as the fighting resumed with some punches being exchanged between the combatants. "So for this Alexei, or whoever he really is, to stand with Laxus like this is impressive. That said there is one thing I'm confused about."
"And that is?" Mimosa asked as she watched the fight just as Alexei landed a punch right to Laxus's face.
"Why hasn't Laxus used his magic yet?" Nero asked though the question was clearly rhetorical. "In fact the only magic that we've seen is that blast of black light shortly after this began that I couldn't identify the attribute for so why hasn't Laxus used his Lightning Magic?"
"Probably because they're not actually fighting." Yami said with a puff on his cigarette as he watched a lot more intently than he'd watched any match so far and that included the ones with Black Bulls in them. "They're just standing there facing each other and probably talking but even with ki I can't tell that for certain."
That instantly got all the Black Bulls' attention as all but Asta turned to stare at their Captain's words. He was unaffected by that as he continued to stared down at the fight going on in the arena where Laxus was being pushed back by the blows, some now augmented by that dark colored magic, that he was taking. Around the stadium the crowd seemed into it while Fairy Tail was clearly worried and the members of Raven Tail just watched it unmoving with rather creepy looks on their faces, unnaturally so but only Fairy Tail was focused on them and clearly they didn't have a clue what was really going on.
"The Captain's right." Asta said simply as he leaned on the rampart railing thing and watched the fight going on below them. "What is going on down there is some kind of illusion, right?"
"Yup and whoever's conjured it, almost certainly that Raven Tail wizard, is using some damn strong magic to create it." Yami said. "It's got everyone fooled and not only that but it's cut off all conversation from the actual chat which really shows how powerful the magic being used is. This is easily magic on par with a Grand Magic Knight, to create such a total and convincing illusion takes a lot of talent and power. Kinda reminds me a bit of that boneless ham's Transparency Magic actually because this has the same weakness to it, it can't fool ki."
"So basically only you and Asta know what precisely is going on." Nero said not caring who the boneless ham that Yami was referring to was as Fairy Tail tried to encourage Laxus and even tried to get him to use his magic but he wasn't as he was now being choked by Alexei, on the field at least. "Is there anything that we can do about it?"
"In terms of the fight, no." Yami said bluntly as he took another drag of his cigarette. "This is between them and it is clear that Raven Tail is making their move with this illusion. What that move is and why I don't know but they wouldn't go through with the illusion otherwise. Likely this was the opponent that they wanted given how Laxus is Makarov's grandson and his father is the leader of Raven Tail so whatever they want has to be from this match. Any of them would do, this illusion magic is such that it didn't matter who faced Laxus only that it was Laxus who faced Raven Tail. That and, well, Asta care to elaborate. This is good training for your ability to read ki as well."
"They aren't the only ones in the arena." Asta said shocking the others as the illusionary Laxus, after some loud cheering from Fairy Tail and encouraging words from Natsu it seemed, broke the choke hold with a powerful swipe of his hand and blasted the illusionary Alexei into the far wall of the arena to crack it, the cracks appeared as well which really showed the depth of the illusion, before sparking up with yellow lightning. "The rest of Raven Tail's team are there as well."
"What?" Noelle said her eyes wide at what Asta had said and then looked at the Raven Tail suite where the 4 other members were standing and watching the fight completely motionless with smirks on their faces. "But they're…huh they aren't moving are they? I did think they were coming off as extra creepy when this match started and this would explain it."
"Yup they're not there because they are down on the battlefield as well." Asta said as Laxus began to punch Alexei with lightning infused punches that made the golden armor the man wore ding as he landed the blows and the crowd cheered at the change in momentum in the fight. "Further back from where Laxus and Alexei are talking and it seems like Laxus doesn't know about them yet but no doubt they're going to show up soon. This is what they were wanting it seems."
"It was clear from that battle on the first day against Fairy Tail Team A that victory was never their end goal, only beating Fairy Tail and whatever else they came for but what I can't say." Yami said with as the fighting increased and the illusion showed Laxus putting Alexei on his ass and then hitting him with lightning that he shot out of his mouth which caused an impressive explosion that covered the battlefield with dust, well the illusion did at least. "And I bet that this is another ploy to keep the fight interesting and avoid it looking one sided or to show off to Laxus just how strong convincing Alexei's illusions are. Quite clever really, keeps the crowd entertained, avoids too much suspicion given the participants, and allows for this chat they're having to continue. See, nothing's changed."
Yami was right because as he was speaking the dust cleared and showed the Alexei illusion was just standing there unharmed having gotten up while the dust covered it to the surprise of those not in the know about what was going on. The illusion then countered with another blast of that strange magic that sent the Laxus illusion into the wall and flipped the battle back into Alexei's favor, in the crowd's eyes at least.
"Seems like Laxus is done talking." Asta said as the illusionary Alexei picked up the illusionary Laxus again. "He's just shed his coat that he doesn't wear properly for some reason and seems to be ready to fight. The real one that is, I can feel his intentions in his ki."
"Yup but you noticed that Alexei is ready as well." Yami said and Asta did notice though the others were confused. "Right, gotta keep the commentary up for you lot who can't read ki. The other members of Raven Tail have revealed themselves to Laxus down there so things should be…huh, and now he's reaching for his mask and removing it to show Laxus who he is. I wonder why, this seems like it's a ploy to keep Laxus talking but Laxus doesn't seem surprised at who's under it for some reason. Oh right, it's off now by the way."
"Who is it though?" Noelle asked. "Who's under the mask?"
"That I can't say, don't have the ki readings to determine it other than it's not any of the other members of the team and that it's definitely human unlike one of the members of Raven Tail so the 5th guy was real the whole time but the guy is malicious as hell." Yami said. "But if I had to guess based on everything we know and Laxus's lack of surprise, it's probably his father under the mask."
"The Guild Master?" Nero asked. "Ivan Dreyar?"
"Yup, he's not moving in his seat either, hasn't really the entire time when this Alexei character is active, I've kept an eye on him a bit as a fellow Guild Master and just in case Makarov needed assistance, as a favor to Julius of course." Yami said glancing over at the motionless and smiling Ivan Dreyar in the crowd to confirm that there'd been no change in the man since the battle began. "But in reality this is just a gut feeling I've had about the whole thing; it would make sense for him to be the leading figure. They don't care about winning, only Fairy Tail and what they're after so he'd not care about that rule, not that Raven Tail cares about rules at all."
"True, it is the most logical way of doing it for a Dark Guild." Nero said while the others nodded recalling how Raven Tail had cheated in their battle against Fairy Tail Team A. "So are they still talking?"
"They are so here's the plan." Yami said with another puff on his cigarette as he had an idea. "Go find a place to change into your bird form where you won't be spotted doing so, we're still going to keep your two forms separate from each other even if Fairy Tail will learn of the talking bird, and fly to Makarov. Tell him what you know and then head to two Fairy Tail teams and relay it to them as well. Only tell Makarov your affiliation though, just tell the others that you're an ally of Fairy Tail or something like that. Let them know that what they see is a lie and to have faith in their guildmate. Understood?"
"Yes sir." Nero said as she turned to leave the suite. "It will be done."
"As for the rest of this, Asta and I will narrate if anything happens beyond the current conversation that is going on." Yami said as Nero left. "Because it seems like things will heat up soon."
The rest of the Black Bulls nodded at that as they continued to watch the fake battle going on below them. This was certainly the strangest match so far but they knew the truth thanks to Yami and Asta so they trusted their Captain and their strongest member as they focused on the battle that wasn't really happening while Nero did her thing.
As soon as Nero was out of the suite she turned in the corridor and hurried to the nearest women's restroom as the commentators continued to give their input and thoughts on the battle. That wasn't her focus or concern and she had to be quick as she had no idea how the true battle would go without Asta and the Captain's ability so she hurried into the restroom. Thankfully it was empty so as soon as she was inside and away from the door she turned into her bird form.
She then flew out of the restroom as the door closed and sped along the corridor as fast as she could while flying towards the entrance to Fairy Tail's designated suite sticking high in the air as she did to avoid being noticed. It didn't take her long, she was a good flyer after living 500 years as a bird and Fairy Tail's area wasn't far from the Black Bulls so she got there in no time and flew in and almost at once spotted Makarov standing where he often did on the rampart railing thing.
"Look daddy, a birdie flew in." The little girl who was the daughter of two Fairy Tail wizards, Asca if Nero recalled correctly, called out noticing her as she flew in and landed on Makarov's shoulder as the illusionary fight continued. "And it seems to like the horsey man."
"Now, now dear." Alzack said looking as well and noticing the strange, black bird with a red face and white underbelly that had decided to perch on Makarov's shoulder. "It's probably just some bird that lives here and got excited, leave it be and it will go away soon. Best not to disturb a wild bird, they can be a little mean."
"Ok." Asca said the way only a 6 year old girl could.
Nero was glad for it as she didn't want to be disturbed as she grabbed Makarov's ear in her beak to get his attention and causing him to let out a yelp of pain. This went unnoticed for the most part as the rest of the Guild was focused on the match they thought was going on especially as at that moment one of the exceeds, Panther Lily if Nero recalled, commented on how Laxus wasn't as impressive as he'd expected. Only Mavis noticed the bird's actions and watched it closely though Nero didn't know this as she couldn't see or sense Mavis's presence.
"Keep watching and listening old man." Nero said in her slightly altered bird voice and as low as she could manage right into Makarov's ear so that only he could hear her, which thankfully was made easier by all the noise that was going on around him. "I'm with the Black Bulls, one of their members and one who you didn't meet the other day so I'm sure you can guess that I'm the one who gets most of their intel on this world. Nod if you understand me."
Makarov did his face set in a slight frown as he heard the words from the bird on his shoulder. He'd known that the Black Bulls had a way to learn things about Earth Land as they were clearly well informed so that meant that they had a talented wizard with some kind of spying magic but this was beyond what he'd expected and he couldn't even begin to figure out the attribute that bird had because this seemed too elaborate for mere Transformation Magic. Still, he trusted Julius and by extension the wizard's he'd sent here, especially after their chat the other day, so he was going to do as he was told and nod to hear the bird out.
"Good, I'll be quick but what you see down there is just an illusion created by that Alexei guy." Nero said surprising Makarov but he didn't let it show as the battle they thought they were watching raged on. "I know this because my Captain and one of my squadmates have an ability that doesn't rely on magic which, amongst other things, allows them to see through illusionary magic so to speak."
"They do?" Makarov asked his voice low so that only the bird could hear him, not that anyone else would given the support for Laxus being yelled all around him. "Interesting, might be…"
"Ask about it later, I'm busy and want to get back so shut it and listen old man." Nero said with another nip at his ear to get Makarov to stop talking so she could finish. "Right now they're just chatting but all of Raven Tail is down there as well and we believe that the masked man, who's now removed it according to my Captain, is your son Ivan. We don't know more than that but my Captain said to have faith in your grandson so we will. What you see is a lie, the real battle has yet to begin as far as I know. Nod again and I'll be off."
Makarov nodded again and Nero stepped back a bit on his shoulder and then took off to a 'bye, bye, birdie' from Asca who waved at her as Makarov thought on what he'd been told. It wasn't unsurprising given Ivan's talents that he could do something like this which meant that this was he end game. He was going to use his own son to get what he wanted but despite Laxus's issues in the past he'd redeemed himself and Makarov would have faith in his grandson now.
Besides, if Ivan thought that he could win this he was sorely mistaken, while Makarov might not know Ivan's end goals right now he did know the strengths of his members thanks to his double agent so Ivan would be in for a surprise if he did decide to fight Laxus, as well as learning of Laxus's support for his grandfather and why Makarov hadn't yet taken action against Ivan. He began to say as much as Mavis was asking about it and this way he could focus on that and not reveal what the bird had said though he'd tell Mavis more about it later as it was clear she'd also noted that the bird was talking to him.
Nero of course knew none of this as she flew around the stadium and towards where Fairy Tail Team B was as they Laxus's team so they should be the next to be informed. The moment she was there she flew down and landed on the silver hair of Mirajane Strauss mainly because it looked the most comfortable of the heads present and Nero did like a comfortable head to sit on. It wasn't but it was the best she could find and set herself there as the four team members watched their 5th struggle against Alexei.
"Er, Mira, you've got a bird on your head." Juvia said looking to it and blinking, for some reason she was wasn't sure that she liked this bird but she didn't know why she felt like that towards a bird she'd never seen before. "What's it doing there? Seems strange for a bird to just perch on your head given all the noise going on."
"Huh, I do?" Mira asked showing a slight bit of air headedness before she felt the slight weight that was now on the top of her head. "I guess I do, that is strange."
"Why is there a bird on your head?" Cana asked while Gajeel couldn't care less. "It's…"
"Have faith in your teammate fairies." Nero said shocking all of them with Gajeel and Juvia leaping back with wide eyes and Cana falling over from her seat while Mira just let out an 'oh my' at the now talking bird. "What you see there is a lie that is being created with Illusion Magic."
"It can talk." Juvia said her hands over her mouth as she stared at the bird. "I didn't expect that at all. I've never seen a talking bird before."
"I'm more confused as to why it sounds a lot like Mira." Cana said as she looked at her bottle of booze to make sure that she wasn't so drunk that she was hallucination it but the others noticing it as well helped while Nero just ignored that as she took off from Mira's head and flew away. "What was that about and who sent it?"
"No clue but the bird is right about one thing, we should have faith in Laxus." Gajeel said recovering the fastest as he remembered that talking rooster thing from Tenrou Island but even that was humanoid, this was clearly an actual bird that could talk. "He may be annoying…"
"Look who's talking." Cana said as she slugged back some more of her drink deciding that it was safe to keep drinking it. "You're just as annoying as he is."
"But he's our teammate and guildmate we should have some faith." Gajeel said ignoring Cana and the others nodded as they went back to watching the match.
Again Nero knew none of this as she flew around to Fairy Tail Team A and this time landed on Natsu's head as it looked like it was the softest. She was right as thus head was nicer, softer, but not as good as Asta's, that was the best head to perch on by far. It was a good one though and Nero thought that maybe dense men just made better perches but that was something she could test another time.
"Um Natsu, when was the last time you washed your hair?" Lucy asked as she looked over at him and noticed a bird was now in his hair. "Because I think it's time you did so."
"I can't remember." Natsu said helpfully as he tried to think back to when was the last time he'd done that. "A while ago at least."
"This is Natsu." Gray said not looking at what was going on as he didn't care about Natsu's personal grooming habits at all. "Probably hasn't washed it since before Tenrou."
"Wouldn't surprise me, I used to have to make you both do it when we took baths together growing up." Erza said getting a shocked look from Wendy and Lucy, along with a pang of jealousy from Lucy that she quickly suppressed because she refused to address that, before she too noticed the bird there. "Though it's been a while since a bird nested there. At least a few years I'd say, by our aging that is not actual years."
"I'm not nesting I just needed a place to land and this was the softest looking head." Nero said getting annoyed at the chatter and causing Fairy Tail Team A to blink before they all reacted with the comical expressions one would expect from a talking bird, apparently talking cats were fine but birds a step too far in this world it seemed.
"It can talk?" Lucy said her eyes wide. "And it's a girl bird I think."
"I wasn't expecting that." Wendy added.
"She's adorable and oddly familiar." Erza said wanting to hold the bird in her arms and cuddle it but stopping herself and also trying to rack her brains as to where she'd seen it before because she knew she'd seen it or something similar recently. "I just don't know why it is."
"I'm more startled that it sounds like a more serious version of Mira." Gray said finally turning to look at the bird before it hit him. "Or why it sounds a bit like that girl who danced with me at the magic ball. This is too weird."
"Ha wish Happy was here to see this." Natsu said clearly having recovered from any shock he might have had. "He'd…ow stop pecking me bird."
"Shut up you lot I have a message to relay to you from an ally of Fairy Tail." Nero said after she pecked Natsu the way she did Asta when he annoyed her as she was getting fed up with this because the battle seemed to intensify down below and she wanted to get back to her Squad to learn what was going on in it. "What you are seeing is a lie, a trick created by Illusion Magic. When I left the real combatants were just talking but I lack the skills of those who can see through this so I don't know if they're fighting for real yet but have faith in your guildmate. That is all."
"Hey, don't go talking bird." Natsu said as Nero took off. "I want to learn more about the battle from you."
"Let the bird go Natsu." Erza said getting serious as she thought on the bird's words and where she'd seen it before. "She's right, we should have faith in Laxus but why does she know that it's an illusion, how…"
"Erza?" Lucy asked as Erza trailed off because between the familiarity of the bird and the statement that someone could see through the illusion all put the pieces together for her as she realized that she'd seen a talent recently that could pinpoint people in magic illusions already and that was what reminded her of an interaction with a transformation wizard who's skills were exceptional. "Do you know what's going on because I'm really confused now."
"I'm not sure but I believe that that bird is tied to the Black Bulls somehow and that they're helping us out right now but I don't have a clue as to why they'd do that." Erza said shocking them all. "It's really strange but it has to be them, I'm sure of it."
"How can you be so certain Erza?" Wendy asked.
"Because that bird looks just like a plushie I bought from the Black Bulls' store in Magnolia when I visited it, Swallow I think they called it." Erza said though she'd confirm that when she got back to Magnolia and checked her plushie collection. "I realized it when I thought about how the said that someone could see through the illusion. That reminded me of how that Asta kid handled hidden and from there I remembered the bird plushie. I bet he's the one who knows what's actually going on. Why they'd tell us I don't know but regardless that bird is right, we should have faith in Laxus and support him."
"Right." Natsu said as most of what Erza had said went over his head and he turned back to the battle at hand to support his guildmate. "Go Laxus! You got this!"
The others joined in and cheered but Nero didn't hear any of this as she flew back to find a place to transform back to her human form and rejoin the Black Bulls. The battle was really heating up and she wanted to be back with her Squad and learn what was going on from the only two in the crowd who actually knew that.
For a few moments after Nero left there wasn't much going on in the actual battle other than more apparent chatting between Laxus and all 5 members of Raven Tail. Regardless, Yami and Asta were aware that the tensions were building and were keeping the rest of the Black Bulls informed as Nero made her way around the stadium and the illusionary battle continued to rage on. Finally though it seemed that Laxus said something that pushed Alexei or Ivan or whoever he was too far and the real battle began.
"Alexei's just attacked." Yami said getting their attention and using the name that had been given for the golden masked man rather than his suspicion that it was Ivan under it. "He's used some spell, I can't tell what through this illusionary magic as it's blocking mana sensing but he's made a move with his body as if casting a spell and his ki is hostile so he's attacking, ranged if I had to guess as there's still some distance between him and Laxus."
"That's what it appears but Laxus is holding firm." Asta said adding his own commentary on the current developments in the battle below them. "He's taking the attack and likely defending against it."
"Hmm, seems like he's testing his opponent's strength by taking the attack." Yami said thinking on it as the rest of the Black Bulls just listened to him and Asta relay what was going on in the actual battle. "Not a bad strategy and…huh, what's going on with Fairy Tail?"
That got their attention just as Nero rejoined them in her human form and they turned to see Makarov, who'd called out to his grandson loud enough for them all to hear, standing tall where he was with his right hand raised index finger pointing to the sky, thumb out and other fingers clenched. Clearly it was a sign of some sort, a rallying cry unique to Fairy Tail most likely, and designed to show faith and support in Laxus, to encourage him and both Yami and Asta felt that in in his ki.
"He's on the move and he's pissed." Yami said with a grin. "That motivated him and it seems like Alexei ordered the others to attack Laxus. The guy who's a puppet from earlier, he's the first but Laxus is on him and has punched him, hard, in the mask thing so I'm sure that he's using his Lightning Magic now because that was a powerful blow."
"Yup, that guy or thing or whatever it is is down now." Asta said. "Now that crazy chick and the small spikey dude are attacking at the same time, the former with her hair the other with spikes on his body. Laxus's dodging them and, yes he's punched the short one hard and driven him into the ground, he's not getting up from that blow. Wait, the crazy chick's got him with her hair."
"Yeah that won't last, Laxus's ki is too defiant and strong." Yami said as he felt it. "There we go he's blasted her back and she's out, likely some kind of ranged attack with his Lightning Magic. That just leaves Alexei and that sand guy…never mind just Alexei."
"What happened?" Noelle asked as the rest of the Black Bulls listened intently to what was actually going on.
"Sand guy tried to creep up on him from behind, Laxus just moved his arm without looking back and now he's down for the count." Asta said. "If I had to guess it was some lightning attack as that seems to be the primary kind of magic that Laxus uses."
"Almost certainly, it's some really strong magic he's got with that Lightning Dragon Slayer stuff." Yami said. "And he's taken all of them out with one blow each which really shows his strength. Now he's facing off against Alexei and moving towards him. This is it, Alexei's attacked again but Laxus has evaded or blown it away and is now right he needs to be and… that's it."
"Damn that was some punch." Asta said as everyone listened with baited breath. "He must have a lot of magic into it and really landed it on Alexei. It took him right in the center of his chest so this should…"
Before Asta could finish the illusion was blown away to reveal Laxus standing there in a strong pose, arm out and sparking with electricity as he landed the final blow. As he stood there a dark cloud seemed to pull away to reveal all the members of Raven Tail but Alexei were down and out cold on the ground and revealing the illusion to the entire stadium.
As it did the illusions of the members in the box vanished as well and all eyes turned to the final member, Alexei, who was now at the base of the wall under the crater his impact into it had caused, a real crater this time, and out cold just like the rest of his Guild. However, the big thing was that his mask was off so everyone saw the man's face at last and confirming who Yami had suspected him to be.
"He's their Guild Master!" Mato suddenly announced having run onto the battlefield when it ended to try and figure out what had happened when the illusion fell and looking at Alexei before suddenly realizing who he was. "Alexei was really Guild Master Ivan all along!"
"Well folks it would seem that the battle we were just watching was an illusion." Chapati announced sounding surprised, which made sense given the sudden revelation that the battle had been fake, as the crowd gasped in shock and processed what they were seeing. "Regardless, Laxus didn't let it get him down, nor did he let Raven Tail's clear rule's violation affect him, and proceeded to defeat the entire Raven Tail Team! There is no doubt that he's the winner of this battle!"
"I knew they'd cheat but this is beyond what even I was expecting." Yajima said as the bell rang to signal the end of the match. "Not only have all 5 of their members illegally participate in a one on one match, but their Guild Master was part of their team in the games. This is an unequivocal violation of multiple tournament's rules including one of the three big ones. It's time for them to learn the consequences of that violation."
"As well as answering a few other questions." Lahar said which was clearly a command for his men to move in. "Don't worry, the Custody Enforcement Unit will get to the bottom of this."
"The winner of the third match of the third day is Fairy Tail Team B's Laxus Dreyar!" Mato said interrupting the commentators as the crowd cheered and noted the three big performances of Fairy Tail that day that really put them back in contention for the Grand Magic Games and reminded them of their former strength. "One moment while we address Raven Tail's blatant cheating."
The Black Bulls just watched as the match ended and the Custody Enforcement Unit headed out onto the battlefield while Laxus walked away. His father appeared to have some words for him and then just devolved into maniacal laughing as he was dragged off by the officers for questioning. The other members of Raven Tail were also captured as they were coming to and taken away with the exception of the big puppet guy who seemed to slump while the actual controlling creature got out and fled before anyone could notice it.
"After some deliberation about that flagrant rule violation it is official, Raven Tail has been disqualified and their Guild is banned from the Grand Magic Games for the next three years." Chapati announced after the members of Raven Tail had been taken away which surprised no one after the revelation of the Guild Master taking part in the games. "Not that we expected any less of a punishment for what they just did."
"It's a few days late but a good riddance." Yajima said.
"After what we just saw and the questions we have there's a chance that Raven Tail no longer remains a legal Guild." Lahar said. "But I'll leave that to my men and get the report later as there is still one more battle to end today on."
"I'm sorry for that everyone but it's over now so let's put that behind us and move onto the fourth and final match of the day." Mato said as the arena was fully cleared and his voice was amplified for all as lacrima vision showed his visage on a screen above the arena for all to see. "And I know that it's going to be an exciting one as it's time for a battle you're not going to forget, I can promise you that!"
"Our beloved mascot Mato is right and now that this cheating is over and Raven Tail are officially out of the Games let's move on with our final battle of the day and it's going to be an adorable one folks between the last two Guilds of the day, Lamia Scale and Fairy Tail Team A." Chapati said the excitement clear in his voice. "Because we end today with a battle between the two youngest competitors in the games as we see that cute can be deadly. That's right folks, it's time for Shelia Blendi of Lamia Scale to face off against Wendy Marvel of Fairy Tail Team A!"
I think I'll leave this off here, a nice little cliffhanger for what I'm sure y'all know is coming next as we wrap up day 3 nicely. At last Raven Tail's cheating has been exposed and they're officially gone from the games. That also means that it's wide open as they're no longer in first place but who will fill that void? Well y'all will just have to wait and see as the games continue and the Black Bulls try to pull off more upsets along the way as they seek to take the first place prize from Sabertooth but of course Fairy Tail is after that as well. That is all that I have for this chapter though so I will leave this off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.
Stringdog